What is the 180-degree rule?

The 180-degree rule of shooting and editing keeps the

camera on one side of the action. As a matter of
convention, the camera stays on one side of the axis of
action throughout a scene; this keeps characters grounded
compositionally on a particular side of the screen or
frame, and keeps them looking at one another when only
one character is seen onscreen at a time. The technique
allows for an expansion of the frame into the unseen
space off screen. It is referred to as a rule because the
camera, when shooting two actors, must not cross over the
axis of action; if it does, it risks giving the
impression that the actors' positions in the scene have
been reversed.

If the line is crossed, it is often to allow the viewers

to be presented with another perspective on the actions
within a scene; this is called a reverse cut. The reverse
cut is often used to confuse those who are watching,
mainly used during suspenseful scene. Stanley Kubrick
uses a reverse cut in the shining.

Reverse cut
We will be applying the 180 degree rule to our short film
especially during scenes where is conflict between two
characters. We will also use it during scenes where our
protagonist is walking or running when we are following
him through a series of shots.

Keanon McSween